It's that time of year when everyone is getting a cold. And the drug companies are making a fortune off us. Here are some ways to deal with the cold season without handing over your wallet.
1. Garlic
-One of the greatest tools in the fight against a cold is this wonder food. I buy a package of garlic for about $1 and it lasts a long while. What you do is you take it apart (the cloves are inside pieces) and you chop up a clove into tiny pieces. You can chew it if you don't mind the taste or you can put it on a spoon and swallow it like it's a pill. I learned from a friend to follow it with a spoonful of honey. It chases the taste away. Take a clove every day. I've also heard rumors that the Japanese swear by garlic. I've used this and it does wonders for me.
2. Stop saying yes
-I know the holidays bring on a lot more stress and we think we can't avoid it. Not true! Learn to say no to invitations and say yes to rest and relaxation. Stress lowers your immune systems ability to work properly.
3. Elderberry jam
-Switch your strawberry or grape jam to this antioxidant berry. It's packed with quercetin, which has antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. And all your doing is switching your flavor of jam.
4. Ginger
-Use this in your stir-fry or soup to help lessen cold symptoms. Or make a simple tea with it: shave the skin from a fresh piece, cut off about 2 inches, then slice it up and drop it into 2 cups of water. Simmer the mix for about 20 minutes uncovered, pour it into a tea much, add a tablespoon of honey and juice fresh-squeezed from half a lemon, and drink it down. Or you can boil a ginger root in water for 15 minutes to make a strong tea. Dilute it and sip it throughout the day. Do not use ginger if you have signs of strep throat. This root acts as a decongestant
5. Switch to olive oil
-I know the veggie and canola oil is cheaper but olive oil has so many health benefits that it's worth the switch. I price mine out to see who has the best deal. I usually find it at Big Lots. Apparently the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial olive leaf extract interacts with the protein in cold and flu virus particles to halt infection.
6. Try some yoga
-Yoga helps to stimulate your immune system and keep everything flowing smooth. This is also a favorite of mine. You can check out a video from the library for free.
7. Honey and lemon tea
-It actually doesn't have to be tea but a good warm one will do the trick. Add honey and lemon juice to a warm tea to help soothe a sore throat. This works for kids over the age of one.
8. Watch a movie
-Laughter is the best medicine. It's true. If you're day is busy and you can't actually watch a comedy try putting on a DVD to fall asleep to. You can rent these from the library for free. You can even get TV series on DVD. I like to watch Friends personally. Laughing will actually bolster your immune system. So grab a friend and kick that cold.
9. Try hydrotherapy
-This is not one I'll be trying anytime soon. But I've heard people talk about it a lot. When you're in the shower get the water as hot as you can take it and count to eight while it hits your spine. Then quickly turn the water to cold and count to eight again. Alternate at least three times ending on cold. This should help by stimulating circulation.
10. Gargle
-Try gargling with plain water every day. This helps cut your chances of getting a cold. Try gargling 3 times a day and you'll be doing even better. It's said to thwart the ability of viruses to take hold and multiply.
11. Eat horseradish
-This will clear your sinuses! You can also have some horseradish dressing if you like.
So there you have it! Several different ways to deal with the cold season.
Some of these ideas came from the December issue of Natural Awakenings, Taste for life and Body and Soul.
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